Emperor Justinian II felt that his authority extended to all matters, including the Church. Sergius refused to lend papal approval to edicts issued by Justinian and the Synod of Trullan in 692, which Justinian had convened. The emperor ordered the arrest of the pope, but the citizens of Rome arose to defend him. When additional troops arrived, fighting broke out. Zachary, leader of the Emperor’s troops, was forced to seek sanctuary and the protection of Sergius, was eventually reduced to hiding under the Pope‘s bed. Sergius ordered a complete halt to the violence; many of the troops sent to arrest him sided with the pope, and Zachary and his remaining soldiers were permitted to withdraw.